I gave birth at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. My twin daughters were in the NICU from November to January. My twins were premature and with low birth weight. They also needed oxygen therapy. These things are risk factors and indicated a need for an ophthalmology exam to exclude ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity). The hospital assigned the evaluation to a pediatric ophthalmologist named Cereesa Longest. I did not meet this doctor during this evaluation, because hospital staff recommended I not be present due to the distress this procedure can cause baby and mother. The procedure to check for ROP is clamping the babies open with metal devices, and taking a metal scooper to look behind the eyeballs. This is done while the babies’ eyes are dilated with drops, making it extra uncomfortable for the baby, and probably painful. The hospital stated we needed to get a follow up within a certain time frame, and made the appointment for us with the same provider. When we arrived the office, nobody explained the paperwork, and granted we should have gone over the paperwork more closely but trusted the medical professionals. When we met with the doctor the first time, she dismissed our questions and told us multiple times “you don’t need to worry about that”. When we questioned the procedure and how uncomfortable it looked, she stated “babies don’t feel pain”. Then we were told that we needed to come every week or two for at least a couple months, and then move on from there to monthly and so on and so on. When reading about ROP, these recommendations were excessive. We did not know any better, so we agreed, and we were concerned for the welfare of our children’s eye sight. The real problems came when about a month or so into the treatment, we wanted to reschedule for a day or two later related to transportation issues and health concerns for me, the mother. I was initially told they could not reschedule until two weeks later. I agreed and rescheduled. I then got a phone call a little while later, and stated it is of the upmost importance we keep our appointments, and we needed to come in the next day. I thought this was weird, because this was my initial request, but happily agreed because as aforementioned, we were concerned for their eye health. We then got a letter in the mail stating that if we reschedule again, they will be calling DCFS on us for medical neglect. They then placed a copy of the paperwork we signed in with the certified letter stating that we must keep all appointments and that they will have a right to call DCFS if we defer from the treatment plan. This made us feel trapped. We were forced from the hospital to have this provider, now we were being threatened by this provider with DCFS. We were not given other options for other providers or any other choices. We completed the treatment, and the doctor told us that we could come back in a couple months for them to check for other abnormalities of the eye, that they were done checking for ROP. When the time came for the appointment, the doctor called to reschedule. We could not make the rescheduled appointment because we would be out of time. I then changed jobs and called the office stating we were going to find our own ophthalmologist if needed after we discuss with our pediatrician. The office understood and we thought that would be the end of it. Then we got multiple certified letters in the mail from this doctor’s office with referrals to other pediatric ophthalmologists. If we don’t like this provider and don’t trust this provider, why would we want to be referred to someone within the same group? We ignored these letters because we were going to find our own providers after consulting with our pediatrician, as stated before. Then the office started calling and harassing us, stating they need to know who we chose on their list or they will take further actions (which we were assuming was calling DCFS). We didn’t pay any attention because we didn’t think we were doing anything wrong. Then the final call from the office was from the doctor demanding we tell her who we were choosing from her list so she could send the necessary medical history and again threatening us. Again we ignored the harassment. A short time after the last call, DCFS came to our door stating that somebody made an anonymous report of medical neglect. We knew who it was. The case was unfounded, and people from DCFS office recommended we file a complaint on the office for filing a false complaint. This is just a scam from the hospital and this provider to scare people into treatment that is unnecessary so they can bill insurances. They are monopolizing this service, and during a time when people are so vulnerable, I am assuming it is easy to take advantage of parents who are sick with worry. I will be filing a complaint with DCFS, the attorney general for insurance fraud, and IDPH.

I met Dr. Longest during an emergency, and have been seeing her for over 20 years. She explains things clearly, and is an excellent doctor. I have recommended her to several people.

We have been seeing Dr.Longest for the past 6 years now for my older daughter very nice and welcoming person. She answers all questions clearly and also makes sure the kid is also taken care of. Overall she is a very good doctor

A horrible waiting period and no stuffs care about it. They don't know how to manage appointments.

I have seen Dr. Longest since I was 8 years old. I am now 25. She is the only doctor I go to because I am very confident with her care. I live in the city now and I still brave the traffice to see her for all of my eye care. She is very good. I have not had problems with the office at all. However, I do expect for ophthalmology (surgeons/medical doctors) exams to take longer than exams at vision centers because ophthalmology exams are comprehensive- they are not just giving glasses and contacts.

My family has been seeing Dr. Longest for over 10+ years. From the very beginning we have had the best of care. Dr. Longest is warm and friendly and takes the time to explain things. She is one of the best in her field and we wouldn't think of going anywhere else.

I am a nurse and Dr. Longest has taken care of my 2 year old daughter since she was born. She was born premature with multiple medical problems. She has always received the absolute best of care from Dr. Longest.

I have always had very positive experiences with Dr. Longest. We have been her patients for 10÷ years. Our care has been the best.

We enjoy coming to see Dr. Longest. We have been seeing her for years. She's the best.

Great doctor. Great experience. Dr. Longest sees my entire family (husband, mother, in laws and my children). We couldn't be more pleased. She is thorough, compassionate and explains things in a way I understand. My son started seeing her 5 years old and is now finishing college. We won't go anywhere else!